Adjustable waist and seat for garments



July 24, 1956 G. R. CANTIL ADJUSTABLE WAIST AND SEAT FOR GARMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28, 1954 FIG 4 FIGI R m m m FIGZ .G EORGE R. CAN TIL July 24, 1956 G. R. CANTIL ADJUSTABLE WAIST AND SEAT FOR GARMENTS Filed June 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q k @m E @m m Fm 9m m NR Q\ m MN 5 mwbm INVENTOR. GEORGE R. CAN L aired States This invention relates to wearing apparel and more particularly to means for adjusting the waist and seat of trousers, slacks, shorts or skirts.

This invention is an improvement of my invention for Adjustable Waist for Trousers, Patent No. 2,674,742. That patent provides an adjustable waist which may be adjusted in a second by a person While he is wearing the garment.

The present new and improved invention is also designed and constructed so that it does not detract from the proper fit or the appearance of the garment and also may be adjusted in a split second. The garment is designed providing folds in the waist to make pleats on each side which are coincident with the creases in the trousers. Special hook and eye fasteners are used to make the depth of the pleat and, therefore, the waist and seat adjustable, the eyes being mounted on the inside of the outer fold of the pleat. A hook is mounted on the pleat by means of an elongated washer member which is inserted inside the pleat and which extends transversely across the waistband portion of the pleat. The washer member acts as a bar that fits snugly inside the apex of the pleat to prevent any twisting of the waistband. Due to the special construction of the internal washer extending transversely across the waistband and due to its cooperation with the pleat this twisting is completely avoided. The pleats are arranged to flow into the creases in the garment; for instance, in the trousers, the pleat will flow into the front crease.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improved adjustable waist and seat for garments.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved adjustable waistband for pants, slacks, shorts or skirts.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved waistband and seat adjustments for garments, comprising folded portions from-the waist adapted to form pleats which are coincident with the creases in the garment.

Another object of the invention ,is to providenew and improved adjustable waist and seat for garments which are easy and cheap to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved adjustable waist and .-s.eat=-for gannents-which are easy and cheap to manufacture, using adjustable pleats.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable garment which is easy to press and neat in appearance and can be worn with a belt so as to indicate no difference from conventional garments.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garment comprising a waistband section, said waistband having pleats adapted to flow into the creases of the garment, the outer fold of said pleat and the inner fold being adjustable, a plurality of eyes mounted on said waistband and a hook mounted on the inner side of the outer fold of the pleat, a bar washer member being inatent changing the properfit of the garment. The adjustment would be particularly adapted for maternity garments.

.four or five different sizes. the inventory needed to cover the number of sizes normally stocked; thismakes the inventory flexible and re- ..quires less capital. The adjustment may also be of great use to the individual wearer .as it will facilitate comice serted inside the outer fold of'the pleat and extending transversely across the Waistband section, said hook .be ing mounted on said bar member whereby the bar member bears against the inside of the apex of the outer fold and prevents any twisting'thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method whereby as the waistband is adjusted by means herein set forth the seat of the garment automatically is made to conform to the changed proportions of the waist.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a garment embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a garment embodying the invention with the pleat folded back to show the concealed construction.

Figure 3 is a pattern illustrating the construction of the invention.

Figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are detail views illustrating the construction of the hook, eye and bar washer members.

Figure 4 is a detail view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a pair of trousers which embody the present invention and Figure 2 shows the adjustable constructionof the hook and eyes of the present invention. Note that the hook and eyes will be concealed as shown in Figure 1 when the small waist adjustment is made.

Figure 2 shows a pair of trousers which have a waistband section 2, which is folded in a pleat. The outer fold 3 of the pleat is fixed and falls into the front crease dot the trousers. The inner fold of the pleat is formed by folding the outer pleat around the line 5 and engaging the hook 6 is one of the eyes 7, '8 or 9. The embodiment of Figure 2 is opened up for purposes of showing the construction. When the hook 6 is engaged in the eye 9, the appearance of the trousers will be as shown in Figure 1. When the hook is engaged in the eye 7 or 8 one or two eyes will not be concealed by the pleat, but may {be concealed by other conventional means. For instance, by wearing a belt or by coloring the eyes to match the material, or by covering the eyes with material.

There will be a similar pleat construction on the other side. If the eyes are spaced one inch apart it will be possible to adjust the garment at least two inches on each .side and increase the waist and seat measurement at least four inches. The eyes may be spaced slightly further apart or more eyes put in to give an adjustment up to .say five inches. Therefore, a pair of trousers with the adjustable waistband and seat will cover a. range of This will greatly decrease fort and wearing if the waist size changes and without The eyes-will be set in va manner so that they will .neyer come into the] fold. of .the pleat by tightening ,:the

waist. I

One of the major problems in the construction o'f'this type of garment is that there is a tendency for the pleat to sag, especially if anything of weight is put in the pocket or if the hand is put in the side pocket. This is normally caused by rotation between the folded pleat portion and the waistband, which in turn is caused by lack of rigidity in the members employed in fastening the top of the pleat to the waistband. This is the reason that various similar inventions are not suitable. For in stance, buttons and a tab would not be suitable since that construction always sags and besides, it would spoil the neatness and appearance of the garment.

securely and with the long edge of the bar washer resting snugly inside the outer fold of the pleat and providing a transverse rigidity tothe construction which together will eliminate the sagging problem completely. It will act just as when the pleat would be sewn into the waistband.

Figure 3 shows a half pattern of the garment showing the placing of the washer against the crease line 4. Note that the washer 10 stands substantially transverse ly across the waistband section 2. Conventional loops 21, 22 and 23 of any width desired may be added in a conventional manner since it may be desired to wear a belt to cover any exposed eyes.

Figure 3A shows the construction of the eyes. The eye 7 is formed as shown with two prongs at either end and is inserted through the material into the openings of washer 7', which is placed onrthe inside of the waistband and the prongs are then folded over. The hook always fits snugly into the eyes without play, preventing its sliding out. The lining of the waistband will cover the washer 7 which has been previously reinforced. In cheaper products, where the washers and prongs are put through the lining of the waistband, a band may be sewn over the washer on the inside of the waistband if desired.

Figures 3B and 30 show the hook 6, Figure 33 being a perspective view. The prongs 11 and 12 are offset so they may be made as long as possible, for any thickness of material.

Figure 3D shows the construction of the bar washer 10. The most important feature of which is that its long dimension is substantially the same as the waistband so that it will fit snugly inside the outer fold of the pleat and prevent twisting.

The hook is fixed on the garment by inserting the prongs 11 and 12 through the waistband and through the openings of the bar washer 10, Figure 3D, and the prongs are then bent over behind the washer. The outer fold is then stitched together along the line 15, Figure 1, close to the bar member 10. This stitching 15 provides stifiness and further minimizes the possibility of any twisting or sagging.

Therefore, both the waist and seat are adjustable and this is accomplished without inserting any gores nor does it cause any unsightly bunching of the garment. The appearance of the garment and its fit and means of hanging is perfect for any adjustment.

I claim:

1. In a garment of the type including a pair of trousers comprising waistband and seat sections, a pair of leg portions, said trousers having pleats extending through the waistband into the creases of said leg portions, the outer fold of said pleats being fixed and the inner fold being adjustable the combination comprising, a plurality of eyes mounted on said waistband, a bar washer member inserted inside the outer fold of said pleats and extending substantially transversely across the waistband section thereof, a hook mounted through one side of said outer fold on said bar washer member, said hook being adapted to engage one of said eye members to thereby provide an adjustment of the waistband.

2. In a garment having an adjustable waistband and seat, said garment having a pleat extending through the waistband, the outer foldof said pleat being fixed and the inner fold being adjustable the combination comprising, a plurality of eye members mounted on said waistband and a hook mounted on the inner side of the outer fold of said pleat, and means to prevent said pleat from sagging, comprising a supporting bar member for said hook inserted inside the outer fold of said pleat and extending substantially transversely across the waistband section thereof, said hook being fixedly connected to said supporting member.

3. In a garment of the type including a pair of trousers comprising waistband and seat sections, a pair of leg portions, said trousers having a pleat extending through the waistband into a crease of said leg portion, the outer fold of said pleat being fixed and the inner fold being adjustable the combination comprising, a plurality of eyes mounted on said waistband, a bar washer member inserted inside the outer fold of said pleat and extending substantially transversely across the waistband section thereof, a hook mounted on said bar washer members, said hook being adapted to engage one of said eye members to thereby provide a rigid adjustment of the waistband.

4. In a garment of the type including a pair of trousers comprising waistband and seat sections, a pair of leg portions, said trousers having pleats extending through the waistband into the creases of said leg portions, the outer fold of said pleat being fixed and the inner fold being adjustable the combination comprising, a plurality of eyes mounted on said waistband and a supporting member inserted inside the outer fold of said pleat and extending substantially transversely across the Waistband section thereof, an external hook mounted on said supporting member on the inside of said outer fold, said hook being adapted to engage one of said eye members to thereby provide an adjustment of the waistband.

5. In a garment having an adjustable waistband and seat, said garment having a pleat extending through the waistband, the outer fold of said pleat being fixed and the inner fold being adjustable the combination comprising, a plurality of eye members mounted on said waistband and a hook mounted on the inner side of the outer fold of said pleat and means to prevent said pleat from sagging, comprising a supporting member inserted inside the outer fold of said pleat and extending substantially transversely across the waistband section thereof, said hook being fixedly connected to said supporting member, said hook and eyes being a tight fit for a minimum of play or rotation between them.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 666,953 Bieberstein Jan. 29, 1901 701,252 Bandler May 27, 1902 1,496,706 Friedman et al. June 3, 1924 2,504,718 Nagel Apr. 18, 1950 2,674,742 Cantil Apr. 13, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 128,339 Germany Feb. 15, 1902 

